The Warburg effect and intraoperative hyperlactatemia in brain tumor resection: A case report
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Hyperlactatemia is a common occurrence during neurosurgical procedures, typically associated with hypoxia. This case report describes a significant episode of intraoperative hyperlactatemia in a 22-year-old female undergoing craniotomy for the resection of a mesial frontotemporal brain tumor, which was managed without signs of hypoperfusion. Despite conventional management strategies aimed at correcting hypotension and metabolic acidosis, lactate levels escalated to 12.3 mmol/L, accompanied by severe hyperglycemia. The patient's condition stabilized postoperatively with lactate levels normalizing by the second day in the ICU. This case suggests that the Warburg effect, a metabolic phenomenon characterized by enhanced aerobic glycolysis by tumor cells leading to excessive lactate production, was a significant contributor to the observed hyperlactatemia. The recognition of non-hypoxic hyperlactatemia is crucial in guiding appropriate intraoperative management and avoiding unnecessary interventions. This report underscores the importance of considering tumor metabolism, particularly the Warburg effect, in the differential diagnosis of hyperlactatemia during surgery, which could influence intraoperative decisions and potentially affect patient outcomes.
Source: JCA advances.
Authors: Wallace Andrino da Silva, Leonardo Bonfim Nogueira de Queiroz, Rafael Maciel de Andrade Lima, Mayson Ricardo Vasconcelos da Silva, Ramon Arruda Câmara dos Santos
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,200
OpenAlex ID: W4407953712